Police Say Karamatsu's Blood-Alcohol Level Double Legal Limit

HONOLULU -- Honolulu police arrested the vice speaker of the state House early on Tuesday morning after he tested more than double the legal limit for driving under the influence, authorities said.

---

Interview With Karamatsu At Court
Report: State Lawmaker Arrested On DUI Report: New Excessive DUI Law In Effect

---

Rep. Jon Karamatsu, 32, crashed his 1993 Honda Accord into the center median on the westbound side of Moanalua Freeway near the Ahua Street overpass, police said.

It happened at about 1:10 a.m.

Police said officers noticed Karamatsu swaying and had an odor of alcohol coming from him. They said his speech was slow and slurred and that his eyes were watery.

He failed a field sobriety test, officers said.

They took him into custody and gave him a breathalyzer test at the station. He had a blood-alcohol level of 0.171, police said. That is more than double the legal limit of 0.08.

Speaker Calvin Say said he was at a reception with Karamatsu last night until about 9 p.m. and did not think Karamatsu was intoxicated.

"I was at a reception, and that was about it, but I was not with him when the incident occurred or whatever happened because I was shocked this morning," Say said.

Say said he will call Democrats together to talk about whether Karamatsu should keep his position as house vice-speaker, which is a mostly ceremonial position with little power.

Police charged Karamatsu with excessive drunken driving. The charge comes from a new law passed by this year's Legislature. A driver with an alcohol-blood level of 0.15 or higher can lose their license plates for six months or more under the new law. (Learn more about the high blood-alcohol DUI law.)

He was given bail of $500.

Karamatsu said he will fight the charge of excessive drunken driving. He said there were some circumstances that will come up later.

When asked if he thought he needed to address an alcohol problem Karamatsu replied, "I think I need to take a couple steps back and look at my life, and try and get myself to be more focused."

Karamatsu represents the 41st House District, which covers Waipahu, Village Park and Waikele.

He is a an attorney who graduated from Gonzaga University law school, the University of Hawaii and Pearl City High School.